News
Govt. readies to grant permanent appointments to thousands of public sector casual workers
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued Circular No. 11/2026, introducing a new mechanism to grant permanent appointments to thousands of public sector employees, currently serving on non-permanent terms.
The circular, which has been forwarded to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and heads of state corporations and statutory boards, sets out a framework to regularise employees recruited on temporary, casual (daily wage), substitute, contract, or relief bases.
The move is aimed at strengthening job security and formalising service conditions across the public sector, covering staff attached to ministries, departments, and statutory institutions.
According to officials, eligibility for permanent appointments will be determined, based on several criteria, including length of service, performance evaluations, and the availability of vacancies within respective institutions. Authorities have been instructed to identify qualifying employees and submit the necessary documentation to facilitate the confirmation process.
The initiative is also expected to address long-standing concerns among public sector workers over job stability and irregular employment status.
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the decision is expected to enable approximately 9,800 employees to secure permanent appointments.
The programme aligns with provisions outlined in the 2026 Budget, which called for a structured approach to absorb non-permanent public sector workers into the formal workforce, including those whose appointments remain unregularised, despite previously receiving approval under earlier circulars.
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Catholic Council reconvenes after nine years
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Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE departs following replenishment visit
PM meets Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations
Tennessee execution called off after failed lethal injection
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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